Adjustable tv table



Nov. 25, i969 R. K. BARTLETT ET AL ADJUSTABLE TV TABLE Filed Deo. l2,1967 United States Patent O 3,479,973 ADJUSTABLE TV TABLE Ronald K.Bartlett and Thomas M. OSullivan, Lamar, Mo., assignors to OSullivanIndustries, Inc., Lamar, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Dec. 13,1967, Ser. No. 690,313 Int. Cl. A47b 11/00, 9/14 U.S. Cl. 108-141 2Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Summary of the invention The TV tableof this invention has been provided to msure that the viewing screen ofthe table can be adjusted so that it is in a direct line with the eye ofthe viewer. In the past, TV tables have generally been of a fixed natureand the eye of the viewer is usually directed angularly upwardly ordownwardly. It will be realized that TV units have varying sizes ofscreens which are located varying distances from the base, and when thisvariance of the location of the picture area is taken into considerationwith the variance in different types of chairs, it will be seen thatthere is no fixed relationship that can be provided to accommodate thedifferent levels of the eyes of individual viewers.

Accordingly, through the instant invention, a simply constructedtelevision stand has been provided whereby swivel means are built in tothe construction in such a manner that the TV can be rotated to presentthe picture to either one part of a room or another. This is inconjunction with means for elevating the entire table stand to effect astraight line or horizontal relationship of the line of sight of theviewer. The construction is rugged and simple and the telescopic supportshaft, which supports the swivel arrangement and provides the heightadjustment, is also used for a simple support to cross arms or crossfeet, which are fitted in to the outer tubular telescopic shaft throughnotches in a very simple yet rugged arrangement. The entire unit issimple to erect and install or repair or maintain where this should beoccasioned. Further, the operation is extremely simple such that thetable can be swiveled or elevated or lowered as desired by unskilledoperators.

The above features are objects of this invention and further objectswill appear in the detailed description which follows, and will beotherwise apparent to those skilled in the art.

For the purpose of illustration of this invention, there is shown in theaccompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof. It is to beunderstood that these drawings are for the purpose of example only andthat the invention is not limited thereto.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is 'a pictorial view of the TV table in the highest position ofadjustment with portions of the inside telescopic mounting shaft andsupport plate shown in dotted lines;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section taken onthe line 2-2 of FIGURE l; and

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view in horizontal section taken on the line 3-3of FIGURE 2.

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The television stand is generally identified by the reference numeral 10in FIGURE 1. As there shown, it is comprised of a swivel or rotatabletable top 12, a telescopic support shaft 14, and arched leg members 16.

The telescopic support shaft is best shown in its details ofconstruction in FIGURES 2 and 3. It is comprised of tubular inner shaft18 and outer shaft 20. The outer shaft 20 is provided with four cut-outnotches 22 which receive the leg members 16. The leg members 16 fitwithin the notches 22 and are in turn mated with one another by cut-outnotches 24, as shown at the bottom of FIG- URE 2. A bolt 26 fits throughan upwardly concave washer 27 and openings in the leg members and isthreadedi-iinto a cross web 28 welded to the bottom of the support shaft20. The upwardly concave washer 27 provides a self leveling feature toaccommodate imperfections in the notches.

`The telescopic arrangement of the inner shaft 18 and the outer supportshaft 20 is adjusted by means of lock buttons 30, which are biasedoutwardly through holes 31 by means of a U-spring 32. The buttons have arounded end surface 34 as shown in FIGURE 3, which aids in hole finding.The buttons are locked in upper adjustment holes 36, as shown in FIGURE2, and when desired may be engaged in the lower openings 38 to lower thetable top. Plastic bearing buttons 40 are provided on the inner shaft inorder to provide bearing surface and smooth engagement of the innershaft with the outer shaft when it is raised or lowered. In this mannerthe bearings prevent wobbling and insure an even telescopic adjustment.

The table surface 12 is provided with a raised guide rim 42 as bestshown in FIGURE 1. This serves as a barrier or rim to prevent thetelevision unit from being accidentally moved ofi the top of the table.The table surface is supported to the stand by means of an adjustmentbolt 44 fitting through a bushing 46, in turn fitted through a centralopening 48 in the table top. The bolt 44 is threaded into a boss 50provided in the central part of a support plate 52, welded on top of theinner vertical support shaft 18. Plastic bearing buttons 56 are providedon the outer portion of the support plate S2 to provide bearing supportfor the table when it is swiveled or rotated.

Use

The TV table of this invention is very simply employed. The televisionunit is placed upon the ta'ble support and is prevented from accidentaldislodgment by means of the protective guide rims 42. The table isswiveled or rotated to any desired position to present the televisionpicture screen to the user at the desired angle. This is effected simplyby turning the table top to the desired position.

The viewer may raise or lower the table depending upon his own personaldesires, the elevation of the viewing chair, the size of the televisionunit, etc. The raising or lowering is simply effected by merelydepressing the adjustment buttons 30 and lowering the table from theposition shown in FIGURE 2 by gravity until the buttons engage the loweropenings 38. When registry is effected, the buttons will simply pop outand automatically lock in place. Conversely when raising or elevatingthe table where desired from the lowermost position, the buttons 'aresimply depressed and the entire table top and inner support shaft aremanually raised until registry of the buttons is effected with the topopenings and the buttons again pop out and automatically lock in place.

Various changes and modifications may be made within this invention aswill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes andmodifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable television stand, said stand comprising a flat tablemember and a vertically extending support shaft means supporting saidtable member, said support shaft means comprising first and secondtelescopic tubular shaft members, the first member being connected tosaid table member and the second member being connected to a base, therst -member having means connecting it to the table member for rotatablemovement of said table member about the axis of said first member, saidconnecting means comprising a horizontal support plate fixed to the topof the first member, and a shaft member fitting through a bearing memberconnecting the table member to said plate, said plate member beingprovided with raised fixed bearing members about its peripheryunderneath said table member to prevent wobbling, and means for lockingthe first and second shaft members in extended and contracted positionsof adjustment to vary the height of the table member, said locking meanscomprising spaced holes in the first and second tubular membersregistering with one another and lock buttons biased into engagementwith the holes by a spring inside the innermost shaft member, said -rstand second tubular members being radially spaced from one another, andbearing buttons mounted on one of said members and contacting the othermember to provide a bearing surface.

2. An adjustable television stand, said stand comprising a flat tablemember and 'a vertically extending support shaft means supporting saidtable member, said support shaft means comprising rst and secondtelescopic tubular shaft members, the first member being connectedto,said table member and the second member being connected to a base,the first member having means connecting` it to the table member forrotatable movement of said table member about the axis of said firstmember, said base being formed by a pair of intersecting elongated footmembers fitted within positioning notches at the bottom of the secondmember, and a connecting bolt being fitted through an upwardly concavebearing member underlying both foot members at their intersection andthreaded into a support plate at the bottom of said second member, andmeans for locking the first and second shaft members in extended andcontracted positions of adjustment to vary the height of the tablemember.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS JAMES T. MCCALL, Primary ExaminerU.S. Cl. X.R.

